Church of St Mary, Rimpton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary |
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| Location | Rimpton, Somerset, England |
| Built | 13th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 19 April 1961 |
| Reference no. | 262725 |
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The Church of St Mary is a really old and special church located in Rimpton, a small village in Somerset, England. It was built a long, long time ago, in the early 1200s! Because it's so important and historic, it's been given a special title: a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered one of the most important historic buildings in England.
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What is a Grade I Listed Building?
When a building is a Grade I listed building, it means it's super important. It has a lot of historical or architectural value. Only about 2.5% of all listed buildings in England are given this top Grade I status. This special listing helps protect the church so it can be enjoyed for many more years.
History of the Church
Historians aren't completely sure of the exact year the church was finished. We know it was built before the year 1291. There are even records of payments made to the church as early as 1215. This shows just how long this church has been a part of the community.
Inside the Church
The Church of St Mary is made of stone and has several interesting parts:
- The chancel is the area near the altar where the choir sits.
- The nave is the main part of the church where people sit during services.
- In the 1700s, a north transept (a part that sticks out from the main building) and a vestry (a room for changing robes) were added.
- A south chapel was built in the 1400s, adding more space to the church.
Inside, you can see some amazing old features:
- The font (a basin used for baptisms) is from the 1400s. It has a special cover that was added in the 1600s.
- The pulpit (where sermons are given) also dates back to the 1600s.
- The church's west tower holds three bells. The oldest bell was made in 1657 by a person named Robert Austen. Imagine how many times those bells have rung over the centuries!
The Church Community
The Church of St Mary is part of a larger group of churches called a benefice. This group includes churches in Chilton Cantelo, Ashington, Mudford, and Rimpton. They all work together as part of the Yeovil deanery, which is a local area within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
